Exploring food consumption patterns in the province of Kenitra, Northwest of Morocco
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Background: Morocco is currently undergoing rapid changes in diets and lifestyles, influenced by globalization and urbanization, leading to a shift away from the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) toward Western diets. Objective: Describe and explore the food consumption patterns of the population of Kenitra province and their adherence to the MedDiet using a validated survey. Method: The current cross-sectional study involved 442 respondents from Kenitra province, comprising individuals aged 18 and above. The survey included a combination of closed and open-ended questions regarding food consumption patterns and socio-demographic characteristics. Adherence to the MedDiet was assessed using the Panagiotakos method to calculate the MedDiet score (MDS). Additionally, each participant’s adherence to the MedDiet was evaluated using a method based on Martínez-González’s approach. Results: The results indicate that 31% of the participants eat vegetables, 28% eat fruits, and 19% eat wholegrain bread daily. Furthermore, 58% regularly use olive oil in their cooking. Eating out of home (OOH) was high, with popular places being restaurants and cafes (70%), fast food outlets (20%), and workplace canteens (7%). Overall, participants showed moderate adherence to the MedDiet, with a mean MDS of 36.3 ± 19.7. Conclusions: Promoting healthy eating habits is crucial in Kenitra. With moderate consumption of nutrient-dense foods and the popularity of the MedDiet, targeted interventions and educational initiatives can promote healthy dietary behaviors, improving overall public health.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 1899 |
Journal | BMC Public Health |
Volume | 24 |
Issue number | 1 |
Number of pages | 13 |
ISSN | 1471-2458 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2024 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2024.
- Food consumption patterns, Kenitra province, Mediterranean diet, Morocco
Research areas
ID: 399236957